Cover attachement for bathtubs



Jan. 25 1927.

J. E. TIERNEY COVER ATTACHMENT FOR BATH TUBS Filed April 17. 1926 W7 11111 111 I L Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES JOHN E. TIERNEY, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

COVER ATTACHMENT FOR BATHTUIBS.

Application filed April 17, 1926. Serial No. 102,674.

My invention relates to cover attachments for bath tubs and has for an object to provide a structure whereby a flexible cover may be supported over abath tub so as to permit the occupant to use the same for the purpose of Turkish baths and the like.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a frame structure adapted to be mounted upon the rim of a bath tub and to support a. cover thereon, said frame extending for a portion of the length of said tub only so as to permit the head of the occupant to extend, upwardly through the cover without interference.

Another object of the invention resides in forming said frame structure with a member serving as a backbone and in pivotally attaching legs to the ends thereof, which legs are adapted to spread out and toengage the rim of said tub and which ma be folded together to permit the entire frame to be collapsed and folded into a compact state when in disuse.

A still further object resides in forming one of said legs with a hook for engagement with the end of the tub to hold the frame from longitudinal movement so as to permit the cover to be adjusted thereon without displacing the frame.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear in the following description, the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of abath tub having my invention applied thereto and illustrating the use thereof.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a bath tub showing the frame mounted thereon ready to receivethe cover of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view showing the method of attaching the end leg to the rim of the tub.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the frame work in collapsed form.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of leg to be used in conjunction with the faucet of a bath tub for holding the framework in place relative thereto.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modifica tion of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

For the purpose of relieving colds and similar afilictions where it becomes highly desirable to cause the human body to perspire freely, the result may be obtained with my invention through the use of the ordinary bath tub such as is found in all modern homes. The result is accomplished by placing a supporting framework to be presently described in detail, upon the rim of the tub and of then layinga cover thereover adapted to allow the head of the occupant to protrude therethrough. The cover is then allowed to drape over the edge of the tub so as to form a tight closure therefor and hot water is then allowed to enter the tub to provide the necessary steam and cause the desired effects. For the purpose of illustrating the application of my improved cover attachment, I have illustrated in the drawings a bath tub A of ordinary formation comprising a bottom 15, sidewalls 16 and 17, a planiform end wall 18 and a curved end wall 19, all of which walls are formed with the usual rolled rim 20. The entire tub may rest upon legs 21 and is provided with the usual faucets and drains which have not been shown in detail in this drawing.

The framework comprising a portion of my invention is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 at B. The entire structure is formed of a rolled band iron or may be constructed of wire flattened at the ends for the purpose of riveting, and consists primarily of a longitudinal member 10 extending centrally along the middle of the tub and slightly above the rim of the same. This member has pivoted to one end 11 thereof two legs 12 and 13 which are adapted to extend outwardly therefrom in opposite directions. The ends of these legs are formed with stirrups 14 adapted to engage the rim 20 of the tub A to hold the structure mounted thereon. At the other end 22 of the member 10 are pivoted three legs 23, 24 and 25 of which the legs 23 and 25 extend outwardly from said member in opposite directions and are formed with stirrups 14 engaging the rim 20 similar to the legs 12 and 13. The leg 24 extends substantially in alignment with the member 10 and engages the. rim 20 of the endwall 18 of said tub in a manner best indicated in Fig. 4. This leg terminatesin a stirrup 27 which is similar to the stirrups 14 except that the same terminates in an inwardly turned hook 26, which is adapted to engage beneath the lower edge of the rim 20 so as to deprive the framework of longitudinal movement. It will be noted that the framework B extends for about two-thirds of the length of the tub, leaving the portion of the tub near the curved end 19 thereof unobstructed. This is for the purpose of allowing the head and shoulders of the occupant to extend above the tub, while being seated therein, without obstruction.

The cover used in conjunction with the framework B is indicated in its entirety at C and may be constructed of any suitable material adapted to hold vapor within the tub and to aid in preventing the loss of heat therethrough. This cover is constructed of ample proportions so that the same may completely cover the tub A and drape over the edges thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. I have found that a rubberized fabric or a heavy woolen fabric, such as a blanket, serves admirably for this purpose, though it can readily be conceived that any other material having the necessary qualities may be equally as well utilized. At one end of the cover C is cut a circular opening 28 to which is connected a placket 29 for the purpose of allowing the head of the occupant to extend through said cover.

In use the placket 29 of cover C is opened and the occupants head inserted through the opening 28. Placket 29 is then buttoned up, which causes the cover C to fit snugly around the neck of the occupant. This may be done before the occupant occupies the tub and while said occupant is still standing. The entire cover is then gathered into the hands of the occupant who may thereupon seat himself in the tub in the usual manner after having placed the framework B thereon. Cover C may then be arranged to cover the entire tub as shown in Fig. l, with the edges 30 thereof draping over the rim 20 of said tub and with the central portion of said cover supported upon and carried by the framework B. WVith the said cover attachment so arranged, and the operator properly seated, hot water may be allowed to enter the tub to cause the necessary vapor, which in turn produces the results desired.

Where it is desired to use the cover attachment with a built in bath tub or. similar structure on which no rolled rim is available for the purpose of attaching the hook 26 thereto, a structure such as shown in Fig. 6 may be employed in place thereof. In such case a cross head 32 is attached to the end of the leg 24 which is provided with inwardly turned clips 33 and 35 adapted to engage the double faucets of a bath tub arranged within the same. The framework is in this manner held from longitudinal movement the same as in the other form of the invention. If desired, the cross head 32 may be turned upon its pivot to occupy the position shown in dotted lines at 36 in Fig.

6, in which instance the same may be arranged to engage the rolled rim of the ordinary tub the same as the hook 26.

lVhere a tub having but a single spout or outlet within the confines of the tub proper occurs, a structure such as shown in Fig. 7 may be employed in place of the cross head or the hook 26 previously referred to. This structure is formed by bending the extreme end of the member 24 into a loop 37, the curved portion of which is turned inwardly as indicated at 38 to provide a hook similar to the hook 26. This device may be placed with the upstanding portions 39 and 40 of the loop 37 straddling the spout or other outlet of the tub and in this manner holding the frame in proper relation thereto. If desired, the structure may also be used with the rolled rim tub, the portion 38 serving to engage beneath said rim the same as hook 26.

The invention is highly advantageous in that it provides a simple and effective structure for converting the ordinary bath tub into a vapor bath cabinet or similar device for causing the human body to perspire freely. The entire device may be folded up into a comparatively compact state so that the same may be readily shipped and stored when not in use. The cover being entirely detached from the framework may be laundered whenever the occasion requires, thereby making the device highly sanitary. The cntire cover attachment may be constructed at a nominal cost so as to be readily marketable.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A cover attachment for bath tubs including a frame comprising a member serving as a backbone, a pair of legs pivoted to one end of said member adapted to extend outwardly in opposite directions and to engage the rim of said tub on opposite sides thereof, three legs similar to said first pair of legs, all pivoted at the same point to the other end of said member adapted to extend outwardly to engage the rim on opposite sides of said member and in alignment therewith.

2. A cover attachment for bath tubs including a frame comprising a member serving as a back bone, and legs pivoted thereto and extending outwardly therefrom adapt ed to engage the rim of said tub and a cover supported upon said frame.

3. A cover attachment for bath tubs including a frame comprising a member serving as a back bone, and legs pivoted thereto and extending outwardly therefrom adapted to en age the rim of said tub, one of said mem ers having a hook for engagement with a portion of the tub to hold said frame from longitudinal movement, and a cover supported upon said frame.

4. A cover attachment for bath tubs including a frame comprising a member serving as a back bone, legs pivoted to the ends thereof adapted to engage the rim of said tub to hold the same supported thereon, said legs being foldable inwardly substantially into the plane of said member and a cover carried by said frame.

5. A cover attachment for bath tubs ineluding a frame comprising a member serving as a back bone, a pair of legs pivoted to one end of said member adapted to extend outwardly in opposite directions and to en gage the rim of said tub on opposite sides thereof, a second pair of legs similar to said first pair pivoted to the other end of said member adapted to extend in opposite directions and to similarly engage the rim of said tub on opposite sides thereof remote from said first legs, and a fifth leg pivoted on one end of said member and adapted to extend in alignment therewith and to engage the rim of said tub along one end thereof and a cover carried by said frame.

6. A cover attachment for bath tubs including a frame comprising a member serving as a back bone, a pair of legs pivoted to one end of said member adapted to extend outwardly in opposite directions and to engage the rim of said tub on opposite sides thereof, a second pair of legs similar to said first pair pivoted to the other end of said member adapted to extend in opposite directions and to similarly engage the rim of said tub on opposite sides thereof remote from said first legs, and a fifth leg pivoted on one end of said member and adapted to extend in alignment therewith and to engage the rim of said tub along one end thereof, said fifth leg having a hook thereon for engagement with a portion of the tub to hold said frame from longitudinal movement and a cover supported upon said frame.

7 A cover attachment for bath tubs including a frame comprising a member serving as a backbone, a pair of legs pivoted to one end of said member adapted to extend outwardly in opposite directions and to en gage the rim of said tub on opposite sides thereof, a second pair of legs similar to said first pair pivoted to the other end of said member adapted to extend in opposite directions and to similarly engage the rim of said tub on opposite sides thereof remote from said first legs, and a fifth leg pivoted to one end of said member and adapted to extend in alignment therewith and to engage the rim of said tub along one end thereof, and a hooked member pivotally attached to the engaging end of said fifth leg.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN E. TIERNEY. 

